Part 19 (1/2)

A LEGEND OF LAKE OKEEFINOKEE.

There once was a frog, And he lived in a bog, On the banks of Lake Okeefinokee.

And the words of the song That he sang all day long Were, ”Croakety croakety croaky.”

Said the frog, ”I have found That my life's daily round In this place is exceedingly poky.

So no longer I'll stop, But I swiftly will hop Away from Lake Okeefinokee.”

Now a bad mocking-bird By mischance overheard The words of the frog as he spokee.

And he said, ”All my life Frog and I've been at strife, As we lived by Lake Okeefinokee.

”Now I see at a glance Here's a capital chance For to play him a practical jokee.

So I'll venture to say That he shall not to-day Leave the banks of Lake Okeefinokee.”

So this bad mocking-bird, Without saying a word, He flew to a tree which was oaky.

And loudly he sang, Till the whole forest rang, ”Oh! Croakety croakety croaky!”

As he warbled this song, Master Frog came along, A-filling his pipe for to smokee, And he said, ”'Tis some frog Has escaped from the bog Of Okeefinokee-finokee.

”I am filled with amaze To hear one of my race A-warbling on top of an oaky; But if frogs can climb trees, I may still find some ease On the banks of Lake Okeefinokee.”

So he climbed up the tree; But alas! down fell he!

And his lovely green neck it was brokee; And the sad truth to say, Never more did he stray From the banks of Lake Okeefinokee.

And the bad mocking-bird Said, ”How very absurd And delightful a practical jokee!”

But I'm happy to say He was drowned the next day In the waters of Okeefinokee.

GRANDPAPA'S VALENTINE.

I may not claim her lovely hand, My darling and my pride!

I may not ask her to become My bright and beauteous bride; The measure of my love for her May not be said or sung; And all because I'm rather old, And she is rather young.

I may not clasp her slender waist, And thread the mazy dance; I may not drive her in the Park, With steeds that neigh and prance.

I may not tempt her with my lands, Nor buy her with my gold; And all because she's rather young, And I am rather old.

She leaves me for a younger swain, A plump and beardless boy.

She slights me for a sugar-plum, Neglects me for a toy.

And worst of all, this state of things Can never altered be; For I am nearly sixty-eight, And she is only three.

ALIBAZAN.

All on the road to Alibazan, A May Day in the morning, 'Twas there I met a bonny young man, A May Day in the morning; A bonny young man all dressed in blue, Hat and feather and stocking and shoe, Ruff and doublet and mantle too, A May Day in the morning.